Interactive game system

ABSTRACT

A gaming method for use with an interactive game which is played at a player unit having an interface device which is coupled to a television and to at least one communication network. The method includes displaying, via the interface device, the interactive game on the television, capturing a picture of a player, transferring the picture of the player to a headend, processing the picture of the player to create an avatar of the player, electronically assimilating the avatar into the interactive game, and enabling the player to interactively play the interactive game by controlling the avatar via the at least one communication network. In another preferred embodiment, a gaming method is provided for use with an interactive game in which, at a first player unit, a first interface device is coupled to a first television and to a communication network, and at a second player unit, a second interface device is coupled to a second television and to the communication network. The method includes displaying, via the first and second interface devices, the interactive game at the first and second televisions, and enabling a first player, playing at the first player unit, and a second player, playing at the second player unit, to play along with the interactive game by competing each against the other via the communication network.

The present invention relates to interactive audio-visual productionsgenerally and more particularly to interactive games and otherdiversions which are played via a communication network and withassistance of a television.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known in the art several interactive games. One popular gameshow is based upon an animated character named “Hugo”. The game show isbroadcast to a plurality of viewers that view the game on television,and one of the viewers is selected to be a player.

The player controls “Hugo” via telephone by pressing keys “2”, “4”, “6”and “8” of a touch-tone telephone, so that “Hugo” is moved up when thekey “2” is pressed, moved to the left when the key “4” is pressed, movedto the right when the key “6” is pressed, and moved down when the key“8” is pressed.

Generally, the player manipulates “Hugo” through a series of obstacles,and his success in manipulating “Hugo” is measured in comparison withother players that are selected during the show. A winner is declared asa player who was most successful in manipulating “Hugo”.

Other games are also described in various U.S. Patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,088 to Kravitz et al. describes a television gameshow which is interactively played by the studio participant gameplayers, the television studio audience and by telephone with thetelevision-viewing home audience.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,953 and the corresponding re-issue patent RE 33,662describe TV animation interactively controlled by the viewer wherein themotion picture branching method is superseded by an animation methodwhich enables rapid and repeated switching of multiple tracks ofdifferent camera-originated animation of the same character duringcontinuous action in a scene, and enables branching at the terminationof an action to multiple actions or scenes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,805 to Baer et al. describes apparatus and methodsfor use in conjunction with raster scan video displays, includingstandard monochrome and color television receivers, for the generation,display and manipulation of images upon the screen of a display for thepurpose of playing games or for the purpose of drawing pictures.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,368 to Matthews, III describes an interactivetelevision system that has a set-top box adapted for use with atelevision and a remote control handset. The set-top box is connected toreceive a television broadcast that is filmed using multiple camerassituated at various camera viewpoints.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,422 to Berman and U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,115 to Bermanet al. describe an interactive game show and method for achievinginteractive communication therewith in which, by providing aninteractive communication system whereby individuals are able toelectronically select at least one possible outcome of a plurality ofoutcomes of a future event, individuals are able to participate in theoutcome of that event and possible share in a prize award associatedwith the event.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,516 and the corresponding re-issue patent RE 34,340describe a closed circuit interactive television system which provides amultichannel television signal from a localized headend which is usedfor individualized interactive selections by a plurality of users.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,275 to Lowe et al. describes a player interactivelive action football game which may be played for example on atelevision screen.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,555 to Kidrin describes an interactive videogame-television system wherein video game cartridge information isaccessed in response to encoded signals transmitted with NTSC televisionsignals.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,757 to Gagin et al. describes a complete multi-usergame playing environment which provides game playing services to cabletelevision subscribers over existing cable networks.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,285 to Levy et al. describes an electronic game withat least one, and preferably a plurality, of intelligent game pieceswhich each contain a re-programmable memory device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,626 to Llenas et al. describes a television game forentertaining viewers and maintaining viewership during televisionprograms and commercials.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,525 to Ohno et al. describes television or videogame data reception apparatus which receives a data signal of televisiongames transmitted from a base station in a wireless manner or throughwire on a local station side so that the received data signal is used toplay a game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide interactive games which areplayed via a communication network and with assistance of a television.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a gaming method for use with an interactive game whichis played at a player unit having an interface device which is coupledto a television and to at least one communication network, the methodincluding displaying, via the interface device, the interactive game onthe television, capturing a picture of a player, transferring thepicture of the player to a headend, processing the picture of the playerto create an avatar of the player, electronically assimilating theavatar into the interactive game, and enabling the player tointeractively play the interactive game by controlling the avatar viathe at least one communication network.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of taking a picture of a player includes at least oneof taking a video picture of the player and scanning an image of theplayer.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of taking a picture of a player includes scanning athree-dimensional image of the player.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the processing step is performed in electronic processingequipment at the headend.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of transferring includes the step of transmitting thepicture of the player via the at least one communication network.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of electronically assimilating the avatar in theinteractive game includes inserting the avatar in a virtual studioenvironment.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method includes selecting, at the player unit, a basicavatar from a group of avatars, and confirming a selection of the basicavatar by transmitting an authorization signal.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the processing step includes combining, in response toacceptance of the authorization signal, the picture of the player withthe basic avatar to create an avatar having combined characteristics ofthe player and of the basic avatar.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a gaming method for use with an interactivegame in which, at a first player unit, a first interface device iscoupled to a first television and to a communication network, and at asecond player unit, a second interface device is coupled to a secondtelevision and to the communication network, the method includingdisplaying, via the first and second interface devices, the interactivegame at the first and second televisions, and enabling a first player,playing at the first player unit, and a second player, playing at thesecond player unit, to play along with the interactive game by competingeach against the other via the communication network.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention, for use with a system in which an interactivegame is transmitted via a communication network to a multiplicity ofviewer units, and in which each viewer unit includes an interface deviceand a television, and the interface device is coupled to thecommunication network, a gaming method for playing the interactive gameat a player unit which is in two-way communication with a virtualreality kit activated by a player and including at least a two-way linkwith the player unit, and for viewing the game played by the player atthe multiplicity of viewer units, the method including encoding, at aheadend, a first version of the interactive game by employing a firstgaming program code and transmitting the first version of theinteractive game to the multiplicity of viewer units, encoding, at theheadend, a second version of the interactive game by employing a secondgaming program code and transmitting the second version of theinteractive game to the player unit, enabling the player tointeractively play the interactive game, via the virtual reality kit, byperforming actions in a virtual reality environment defined by thesecond version of the interactive game, detecting the actions of theplayer and obtaining a stream of detection signals therefrom,transmitting the detection signals to the headend via the communicationnetwork, processing, at the headend, the detection signals to implementthe actions of the player in an avatar which simulates the player, andelectronically inserting the avatar in the first version of theinteractive game which is transmitted to the multiplicity of viewerunits.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of processing includes transforming the actions ofthe player to actions of the avatar in a virtual studio environment.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method also includes selecting a basic avatar from a groupof avatars, confirming a selection of the basic avatar by transmittingan authorization signal to the headend, accepting the authorizationsignal at the headend, and combining a picture of the player with thebasic avatar to create an avatar having combined characteristics of theplayer and of the basic avatar.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention, for use with a system in which an interactivegame is transmitted via a communication network to a multiplicity ofviewer units, and in which each viewer unit includes an interface deviceand a television, and the interface device is coupled to thecommunication network, a gaming method for playing the interactive gameat a player unit, and for viewing the game played by the player at themultiplicity of viewer units, the method including encoding, at aheadend, a first version of the interactive game which includes a firstenvironment by employing a first gaming program code, and transmittingthe first version of the interactive game to the multiplicity of viewerunits, encoding, at the headend, a second version of the interactivegame which includes a second environment by employing a second gamingprogram code, and transmitting the second version of the interactivegame to the player unit, enabling the player to interactively play theinteractive game in the second environment defined by the second versionof the interactive game, and viewing, at the multiplicity of viewerunits, the interactive game in the first environment defined by thefirst version of the interactive game.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the first environment includes an outer view environment ofthe game.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the second environment includes an inner view environment ofthe game.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the first environment and the second environment includevirtual studio environments.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the second version of the interactive game includes a payprogram which is received over a separate data stream.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a method of controlling a signal broadcast froma headend of a television system from a player unit operatively attachedto the television broadcast system and being in two-way communicationtherewith, the method including broadcasting, from the headend, aperspective image of at least one three-dimensional character in anenvironment created by a virtual studio, transmitting, from the playerunit, a control signal directed to the headend, modifying theperspective image of the at least one three-dimensional character atleast partly in response to the control signal to produce a modifiedperspective image, and broadcasting the modified perspective image fromthe headend.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a method for remotely customizing an avatar forbroadcast from a headend of a television broadcast system, the methodincluding providing a picture of a user of the television broadcastsystem, selecting a basic avatar from a group of avatars, confirmingselection of the basic avatar by transmitting an authorization signal tothe headend, accepting the authorization signal at the headend, andcombining the picture of the user with the basic avatar to create anavatar having combined characteristics of the player and of the basicavatar.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a gaming method for use with an interactivegame which is played via a communication network in a plurality ofmodes, the method including enabling a first player, playing at a firstplayer unit, to interactively play the interactive game in a first modeby controlling an avatar via the communication network, transmitting theinteractive game played in the first mode to a plurality of viewerunits, and in response to transmission of an authorization signal,enabling a second player, playing at one of the plurality of viewerunits, to view the interactive game played in the first mode by thefirst player and to play along with the interactive game in a secondmode by competing against the first player.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method includes the step of storing results of theinteractive game played in the second mode at the one of the pluralityof viewer units.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method includes transmitting the results of theinteractive game played in the second mode via the communication networkto a headend when at least one of the results exceeds a predeterminedthreshold value.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a player unit which is operable to be placed intwo-way communication with a headend and at which an interactive game isplayable by a player via a television, the player unit including acamera which is operative to take a picture of a player, and aninterface device coupled to the camera, to the television, and to acommunication network and operative to receive gaming inputs from theplayer and to transmit the gaming inputs and the picture of the playerreceived from the camera to the headend via the communication network,wherein the gaming inputs include control signals operative to controloperations of an avatar based on the picture of the player, and theavatar is electronically assimilated in the interactive game by avirtual studio.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a gaming system including a headend which iscoupled to a communication network, the headend including an encoder forencoding a first version of the interactive game by employing a firstgaming program code to generate an encoded first version of theinteractive game, and for encoding a second version of the interactivegame by employing a second gaming program code to generate an encodedsecond version of the interactive game, a multiplexer for multiplexingthe encoded first version of the interactive game and the encoded secondversion of the interactive game to produce a multiplexed signal, and atransmitter for transmitting the multiplexed signal to a plurality ofviewers, a multiplicity of viewer units, each including a television andan interface device which is coupled to the communication network and isoperative to receive, demultiplex and decode the first version of theinteractive game by employing the first gaming program code, a playerunit at which an interactive game is played by a player, the player unitincluding a player television, and a player interface device coupled tothe player television, and to the communication network, wherein theplayer interface device is operative to receive, demultiplex and decodethe second version of the interactive game by employing the secondgaming program code, and a player interface kit which includes at leasta two-way link with the player unit, and the player interface kit isoperative to detect actions performed by the player, to obtain a streamof detection signals therefrom, and to transmit the stream of detectionsignals to the headend via the player interface device and thecommunication network, and detection signals are employed at the headendto implement the actions of the player in an avatar which simulates theplayer, the avatar being electronically inserted in the first version ofthe interactive game which is transmitted to the multiplicity of viewerunits.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the first version of the interactive game includes an outerview environment of the interactive game, and the second version of theinteractive game includes an inner view environment of the interactivegame.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a gaming system including a headend which iscoupled to a communication network, the headend including an encoder forencoding a first version of the interactive game which includes a firstenvironment by employing a first gaming program code to generate anencoded first version of the game, and for encoding a second version ofthe interactive game which includes a second environment by employing asecond gaming program code to generate an encoded second version of thegame, a multiplexer for multiplexing the encoded first version of theinteractive game and the encoded second version of the interactive gameto produce a multiplexed signal, and a transmitter for transmitting themultiplexed signal to a plurality of viewers, a multiplicity of viewerunits, each including a television and an interface device which iscoupled to the communication network and is operative to receive,demultiplex and decode the first version of the interactive game byemploying the first gaming program code, and to enable a viewer to viewthe interactive game in the first environment defined by the firstversion of the interactive game, and a player unit at which aninteractive game is played by a player, the player unit including aplayer television, and a player interface device coupled to the playertelevision, and to the communication network, wherein the playerinterface device is operative to receive, demultiplex and decode thesecond version of the interactive game by employing the second gamingprogram code, and to enable the player to interactively play theinteractive game in the second environment defined by the second versionof the interactive game.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the first version of the interactive game and the secondversion of the interactive game are transmitted on separate datastreams.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the second version of the interactive game is a pay programwhich is received over a separate data stream.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the first environment includes an outer view environment ofthe game and the second environment includes an inner view environmentof the game.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the first environment and the second environment are virtualstudio environments.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the player interface kit includes a virtual reality kit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a player unit in aninteractive game system constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration of a preferred implementation ofa set-top box which forms part of the player unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustration of a headend in an interactivegame system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a simplified pictorial illustration of systems participatingin creation of an avatar having combined characteristics of a player andof a basic avatar, and of the creation of the avatar;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustration of a transmitting assembly whichforms part of the headend of FIG. 3 and is constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B together constitute a flow chart illustrating apreferred gaming method for use with an interactive game which isoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred play along method whichis associated with the gaming method described in FIGS. 6A and 6B; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another preferred play along methodwhich is associated with the gaming method described in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a player unit 10 in an interactive game systemconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

The player unit 10 of FIG. 1 preferably includes a television 12, aninterface device such as a set-top box (STB) 14, as is well known in theart, a video camera 16 and a virtual reality kit 18 which is worn andactivated by a player 20. It is appreciated that, alternatively to thevirtual reality kit 18, any other appropriate user interface kit, suchas a joy stick or a telephone keypad input device, may be used. Withoutlimiting the generality of the meaning of the term “user interface kit”,the virtual reality kit 18 is believed to be preferable, and isgenerally described herein.

Preferably, the STB 14 is coupled to the television 12, to the videocamera 16 and to a radio-frequency (RF) wall outlet 22 via coaxialcables 24, 26 and 28 respectively. The STB 14 is also preferably coupledto a telephone wall outlet 30 via a twisted pair 32. Preferably, thewall outlet 22 is in turn connected to a television network (not shown),and the telephone wall outlet 30 is connected to a telephone network(not shown).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the virtual realitykit 18, which is activated by the player 20, is coupled to the STB 14via cable 34. Preferably, operations performed by the player 20 aresensed by conventional detectors (not shown) in the virtual reality kit18 and transferred, via cable 34, to the STB 14. Alternatively to thecable 34, an appropriate wireless interface, such as an infraredwireless interface, may be used, and is typically preferred.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the player 20 is aninteractive player in an interactive game show which is broadcast to aplurality of viewers, including the player 20. Preferably, theinteractive player 20 interactively controls an avatar 36 which isdisplayed on the television 12 by activating various functions in thevirtual reality kit 18. The avatar 36 is preferably a three-dimensionalavatar which is navigated and controlled by the player 20 through achanging three-dimensional gaming environment 38 which is displayed onthe television and forms part of the interactive game show.

Preferably, the virtual reality kit 18 is a conventional virtual realitykit which may include units such as a helmet 40 with a display 42 whichtypically provides a simulated three-dimensional view as is well-knownin the art, a microphone and sensors (not shown) and a glove 44 withsensors (not shown). When the player 20, that wears the helmet 40 andthe glove 44, makes a movement by moving a hand on which he wears theglove 42, or by moving his head, the movement is sensed by thecorresponding sensors which generate a detection signal in response tothe movement.

It is appreciated that the display 42 may be excluded, and the playermay view the game on the television 12 rather than on the display 42,and may respond to challenges displayed on the television 12 by movingthe hand or the head. Alternatively, in a case where the display 42 isprovided, the display on the television 12 may be ignored.

The detection signal is preferably transmitted via the cable 34 to theSTB 14, and from the STB 14 to a headend, described hereinafter withreference to FIG. 3, via the telephone network or via the televisionnetwork and is employed to control the avatar 36 through the gainingenvironment 38. Alternatively to the telephone network or the televisionnetwork, any other appropriate telecommunications network, such as, forexample, the Internet or a satellite-based communications network, maybe used.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the virtualreality kit 18 may be excluded and the player 20 may control the avatar36 by operating keys of a touch-tone telephone 46 which is coupled tothe telephone wall outlet 30 or to an additional telephone wall outlet48.

It is appreciated that the telephone network and the television networkmay be replaced by any other conventional two-way communication network.For the purposes of the present specification, the term “two-waycommunication network” is used in a broad sense to include any form oftwo-way wired and wireless RF networks, such as a two-way televisionnetwork, a two-way cable television network and a two-way satellitecommunication network, as well as twoway wired and wireless telephonenetworks and two-way wired and wireless optical networks, such as afiber-optic network, and a wireless infrared optical communicationnetwork.

Additionally, the term “two-way communication network” also includes anyform of hybrid communication networks such as a one-way televisionnetwork and a two-way telephone network as applied in conventionalstate-of-the-art pay television systems.

It is appreciated that the definition of “two-way communication network”provided above also includes a very wide variety of communicationsystems including, for example, the Internet, other networks usingInternet protocols, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks(WANs), and personal area networks (PANs).

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which is a block diagram illustration ofa preferred implementation of the STB 14 which forms part of the playerunit of FIG. 1.

Preferably, STB 14 includes a processor 100, a memory 102, a telephonemodem 104, an encryptor/decrypter 106, a keyboard 108, a transmitter110, a television receiver and tuner 112, and a compressor/decompressorunit 114. The processor 100 preferably receives inputs and selectionsfrom virtual reality kit 18, from keyboard unit 108 and from thetelephone network via the modem 104. In a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention the processor 100 may also receive inputs andselections from a remote control 116, which are shown as transmitted viathe keyboard unit 108 but which may alternatively be transmitted viaanother interface unit (not shown).

Preferably, the processor 100 communicates in two-way communication withthe memory 102, with the compressor/decompressor unit 114 and with theencryptor/decrypter 106. It is appreciated that thecompressor/decompressor unit 114 may compress/decompress informationprovided from and to the processor 100 as the case may be, and theencryptor/decrypter 106 may encrypt/decrypt information provided fromand to the processor 100 as the case may be.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the processor 100provides information generated thereat to the transmitter 110 fortransmission over the television network or over the telephone network.The transmitter 110 may also receive video information from the videocamera 16 of FIG. 1 and transmit the video information via thetelevision network or the telephone network.

Preferably, the television receiver and tuner 112 is operative toprovide conventional receiving, demultiplexing and tuning of televisiontransmissions received from the television network. It is appreciatedthat in state-of-the-art television systems, the televisiontransmissions comprise digitally compressed and encrypted televisiontransmissions. Accordingly, the television receiver and tuner 112 may bea conventional integrated receiver and decoder (IRD) which receives,demultiplexes and decodes the television transmissions, and thecompressor/decompressor unit 114 and the encryptor/decrypter 106 may beemployed to decompress the transmissions and to decrypt thetransmissions respectively. It is appreciated that many IRDs alreadyinclude the decompression and the decryption functions.

It is further appreciated that if another communication network isemployed, as mentioned above, all the transmission and receptionfunctions may be performed via the communication network.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a block diagram illustration ofa headend 200 in an interactive game system constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Preferably, the headend 200 communicates with a multiplicity of viewerunits via the television network and via the telephone network which arementioned above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. If the televisionnetwork comprises a two-way television network, the headend 200 maytransmit and receive information over the television network. If thetelevision network comprises a oneway television network, the headendmay transmit information over the television network, and receive andtransmit information over the telephone network. As mentioned above,other communication networks may be employed, as long as they supporttwo-way communication.

The headend 200 may preferably include a receiver 202 and a transmittingassembly 204 for respectively receiving and transmitting gaming inputsand control information over the communication network. If a hybridtelevision and telephone network is employed, as illustrated in FIG. 3,the receiver 202 may receive the gaming inputs and the controlinformation over the telephone network and the transmitting assembly 204may transmit information over the television network as well as over thetelephone network.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the headend 200 alsoincludes electronic processing equipment 206 which is coupled to thereceiver 202 and to the transmitting assembly 204. Preferably, theelectronic processing equipment 206 is also coupled to a virtual studioassembly 208 which may form part of the headend 200 or may be coupledthereto.

The virtual studio assembly 208 is preferably a conventional virtualstudio assembly which is typically employed to provide virtual andgraphical environments in programs which incorporate live actors, and inanimated programs or programs which combine animated environments andanimated characters with live actors. Virtual studio services have beenapplied, for example, in the 1996 election coverage in Israel to providegraphical interpretation of expected seats in Parliament assigned tovarious political parties, and similarly in coverage of the 1996 federalelections in the United States. Typical virtual studio systems andsystems for use therewith are commercially available from Dream TeamLtd., 3 Maskit Street, Herzliya Pituach, Israel and from RT.SET andORAD, also of Israel.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the virtual studioassembly 208 is coupled to a studio television camera 210 which isoperative to provide a video movie picture which includes an interactivegame show that combines animated environments and animated charactersgenerated at the virtual studio assembly 208 with live actors. It isappreciated that the studio television camera 210 may be part of thevirtual studio assembly 208 and may supply video images thereto whichare processed by the virtual studio assembly 208 and typically combinedwith other images, including, for example, computer-generated graphicand/or animated images.

Preferably, the interactive game show which is generated in the waydescribed above is provide to the transmitting assembly 204, and istransmitted by the transmitting assembly 204 to a multiplicity of viewerunits (not shown) via the communication network.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the informationreceived at the headend 200 is provided by the multiplicity of viewerunits, and part of the information may include pictures of players andselections of animated characters from a group of basic animatedcharacters which may be employed as basic avatars in interactive games.The term “avatar” as used throughout the present specification refers toan embodiment or personification, typically a video embodiment orpersonification, of a person which is typically combined with othervideo images in a virtual studio, as described above, to produce acombined representation in which the avatar represents the person.Typically, but not necessarily, an avatar associated with a personembodies or personifies some physical or personality characteristics ofthe person, possibly in caricatured form.

Preferably, a player is selected to be an interactive player whointeractively participates in the interactive game show. The player maypreferably be selected by an audience that views the game show, by amanager of the game show, or automatically based on a predeterminedcriterion, such as previous game playing history of the viewer whowishes to be a player.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the selected playeris invited to participate in the game show. If the player agrees, he isrequested to send a picture of himself, or a picture of another person,to the headend via the communication network, and to select a basicavatar from the group of basic avatars to which his picture is adapted.

Preferably, in order for the selected player to be able to participatein the game, the player must make a payment by transmitting a paymentauthorization signal associated with a selection of a basic avatar. Oncethe payment authorization signal is received and processed in a billingsystem (not shown) at the headend 200, the player is authorized tointeractively play the game.

It is appreciated that transmission of the pictures of the players maybe unrelated in time and in means of communication to the game show, andmay be transmitted at any appropriate time, such as at a time when thegame show is not played and via other communication networks, such asvia the Internet. Thus, a bank of pictures of players may be establishedat the headend 200, and a player may be selected by selecting from amongthose having a picture in the bank of players.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the picture of theselected player is provided to the electronic processing equipment 206and is processed thereat. Then, a processed picture of the player isprovided to the virtual studio assembly 208 which adapts the picture ofthe player to the basic avatar selected from the group of basic avatars,and combines the picture of the player with the basic avatar to createan avatar having combined characteristics of the player and of the basicavatar. Typically, the avatar having combined characteristics of theplayer and of the basic avatar includes a body of the basic avatar andthe head of the player as extracted from the picture of the player, andthis combination may be preferred.

Preferably, the avatar having combined characteristics of the player andof the basic avatar is inserted in the game which is transmitted, by thetransmitting assembly 204, to the multiplicity of viewer units so thatany viewer that views the interactive game show sees the game as playedby the selected player, and the avatar having combined characteristicsof the player and of the basic avatar.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention each viewerwhose picture is transmitted to the headend 200 may view the game showwith an avatar having the face of that viewer combined thereto. Thecombination of the face of the viewer with the avatar is made asdescribed above for the selected viewer avatar, and the transmittingassembly 204 at the headend may transmit a corresponding avatar to eachviewer. It is appreciated that, alternatively, the combination of theface of the viewer with the avatar may be made in the set top box 14, inwhich case it would be possible for different viewers other than theplay to each combine their face with the player's avatar.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention each viewermay store a preferred combination of an avatar having the face of theviewer combined thereto in a memory at a viewer unit set-top box, suchas memory 102 of FIG. 2.

It is appreciated that each picture of each viewer and the picture ofthe player may be taken by a video camera, such as video camera 16 ofFIG. 1. Alternatively or additionally, each picture may be taken by ascanner (not shown), such as a conventional three-dimensional scanner,in which case the picture may comprise a three-dimensional digitalrepresentation. In another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, each picture may be enhanced by a scanner having imageprocessing capabilities.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a preferred embodiment of systems participating increation of an avatar having combined characteristics of a player and ofa selected basic avatar, and of the creation of the avatar.

Preferably, the video camera 16 takes a picture of a player. The pictureof the player typically includes at least the face of the player asshown in illustrative form in FIG. 4 above the camera 16.

The picture of the player is preferably transmitted to the headend 200via the STB 14. At the headend 200, the picture is received at receiver202 of FIG. 3 and provided to the electronic processing equipment 206 ofFIG. 3.

At the electronic processing equipment 206, the picture of the player iscaptured and an image of the face of the player is separated from therest of the picture as shown in illustrative form above the electronicprocessing equipment 206. Then, the image of the face of the player iscommunicated to the virtual studio assembly 208 at which a basic avatar,such as a rabbit, is created as shown in illustrative form above thevirtual studio assembly 208.

Preferably, at the virtual studio assembly 208, or at the electronicprocessing equipment 206, the face of the player is combined with thechosen basic avatar, e.g. the rabbit, to provide the avatar havingcombined characteristics of the player and of the basic avatar asmentioned above with reference to FIG. 3, the basic avatar beingelectronically assimilated in the interactive game and transmitted viathe transmitting assembly 204 to the multiplicity of viewer units. Theavatar having combined characteristics of the player and of the basicavatar is shown in illustrative form above the transmitting assembly204.

It is appreciated that if the electronic processing equipment 206 isembedded in the virtual studio 208, all the processing that is mentionedabove is performed in the virtual studio assembly 208.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a block diagram illustration ofthe transmitting assembly 204 which forms part of the headend 200 ofFIG. 3.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the transmittingassembly 204 includes an encoder 300 which is operative to encode afirst version of the interactive game by employing a first gamingprogram code, and to encode a second version of the interactive game byemploying a second gaming program code.

Preferably, the encoder 300 is coupled to a multiplexer (MUX) 302 whichis operative to multiplex an encoded first version of the interactivegame and an encoded second version of the interactive game so as toproduce a multiplexed signal. The multiplexed signal is provided to atransmitter 304 which is operative to transmit the multiplexed signal toa plurality of viewers.

Typically, the multiplexer 302 may be combined with the encoder 300 inan MPEG unit, as is well known in the art, which typically combinesmultiplexing and compression with other features appropriate to digitalvideo transmission. Operation of typical commercially-available MPEGunits is generally described in published standards such as the ISO/IEC13818-6 International Standard entitled “Coding of Moving Pictures andAssociated Audio.”

It is appreciated that if the signal transmissions are in digital form,the encoder 300 may include a digital encoder, the multiplexer 302 mayinclude a digital multiplexer and the transmitter 304 may include adigital transmitter. Preferably, the encoder 300 may encode othertelevision programs as well as the first and second versions of the gameshow, and the multiplexer 302 may multiplex encoded television programsas well as the encoded first and second versions of the interactivegame.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first version ofthe interactive game may include a version of the game that istransmitted to all viewers that do not participate as interactiveplayers in the game. Preferably, the second version of the interactivegame may include a version of the game which is transmitted only to theplayer or players who is or are selected to interactively play the gameas mentioned above. It is appreciated that the first version of the gamemay be different from the second version of the game. A preferredembodiment of first and second versions of the interactive game, and thedifferences between them are described below with reference to FIGS. 6Aand 6B.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A and 6B which together constitute aflow chart illustrating a preferred gaming method for use with aninteractive game show which is played by employing the apparatus andsystems FIGS. 1-5.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the interactive gameshow is displayed on the television 12 at the player unit 10 of FIG. 1.At any time prior to the show, or during the show, a viewer may beselected to be an interactive player in the game. Preferably, theselection of the viewer as a player may be performed by placing atelephone call to the viewer's residence an informing him of theselection, or by transmitting a selection message which is individuallyaddressed to the viewer.

Once the player is selected, and upon his acceptance to participate inthe game which may be confined by transmitting a payment authorizationsignal to the headend, the player may preferably be requested to send anelectronic image of his face to the headend 200 at which the game ismanaged. Then, the player may preferably operate video camera 16 tophotograph himself. Alternatively, the player may use a conventionalscanner, or a conventional three-dimensional scanner, to generate ascanned image of his face.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the picture of theplayer may be transferred to the headend 200, either by mail or bytransmitting the image of the player via a communication network towhich the headend 200 is coupled, such as a television network or theInternet.

Preferably, the picture of the player is processed at the electronicprocessing equipment 206 at the headend 200 to create an avatar of theplayer. It is appreciated that the avatar may include a combination ofthe face of the player with a body of the basic avatar, or a combinationof a face of the basic avatar with the body of the player, and thus theavatar includes combined characteristics of the player and of the basicavatar.

Preferably, the avatar of the player is electronically assimilated intothe interactive game, and the player is enabled, upon initialization ofthe game, to interactively play the interactive game by controlling theavatar via the communication network. It is appreciated thatassimilation of the avatar may include inserting the avatar in a virtualstudio environment.

If the player uses a virtual reality kit to play the game, such as thevirtual reality kit 18 of FIG. 1, the player plays the game in arealistic environment, typically an environment as viewed by him when heis “implanted” as an avatar in the game. For the purposes of the presentinvention the term “inner view” is used to include such a view of thegame as seen by the player when he forms part of the game from the viewof the player's avatar.

It is appreciated that viewers that do not play the game, but ratherjust watch it played by the player, are generally not interested inviewing the game from the inner view of the player. Typically, suchviewers, may see the environment of the game from an “outer view”. Theterm “outer view” is used in the present specification to include a viewof an outside viewer that watches the player as well as the environmentin which the player acts.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a first version ofthe interactive game is encoded at the headend 200 by employing a firstgaming program code. The term “gaming program code” is used throughoutthe present specification to refer to a code or any other appropriatemethod used to assign one or more destinations to a version associatedwith the code. The first version of the game preferably includes anouter view environment of the game, and this version is transmitted to amultiplicity of viewer units.

Preferably, a second version of the interactive game is also encoded atthe headend. The second version of the game preferably includes an innerview environment of the game, and this version is transmitted to theplayer unit only. It is appreciated that the second version of the gameis encoded by employing a second gaming program code which differs fromthe first gaming program code. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the inner view environment of the game and the outer viewenvironment of the game are virtual studio environments.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the player is enabledto interactively play the interactive game, via the virtual reality kit18, by performing actions in a virtual reality environment defined bythe second version of the interactive game. Preferably, the actions ofthe player are detected by the virtual reality kit 18 and a stream ofdetection signals is obtained therefrom.

The detection signals are transmitted to the headend 200 via thecommunication network. At the headend 200, the detection signals areprocessed to implement the actions of the player in an avatar whichsimulates the player. Preferably, the avatar is electronically insertedin the first version of the interactive game which is transmitted to themultiplicity of viewer units. It is appreciated that the processing ofthe detection signals may include transforming the actions of the playerto actions of the avatar in a virtual studio environment. It is furtherappreciated that the second version might alternatively be provided toviewers in addition to the player, typically for a fee.

As mentioned before with reference to other preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the avatar may include an avatar having combinedcharacteristics of the player of a basic avatar.

It is appreciated that the first and second versions of the game whichprovide separate views of the game may be used in a configuration whichdoes not employ the virtual reality kit 18. In such a case, the playermay manipulate keys of an input device, for example, a touch-tonetelephone or a joy-stick (not shown), to interactively play theinteractive game while viewing a second environment defined by thesecond version of the interactive game, i.e. the environment seen fromthe inner view. Preferably, other viewers may watch the interactive gamewhile viewing a first environment defined by the first version of theinteractive game, i.e. the environment seen from the outer view.Preferably, the first environment and the second environment may bevirtual studio environments.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the interactive gamewhich is played by the player, i.e. the second version of the game, maybe defined as a pay program. In such a case, the pay program may occupya separate data stream, if the pay program is transmitted in a digitalform, or a separate pay television channel if the pay program istransmitted in an analog form. It is further appreciated that the datastream may be dynamic and may vary in accordance with bandwidthallocations, as is well known in the art, particularly in relation toMPEG, as referred to above.

It is appreciated that the playing methods of the present inventionenable controlling a signal broadcasted from a headend of a televisionsystem from a player unit operatively attached to the televisionbroadcast system and being in two-way communication therewith. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention, a perspective image of atleast one three-dimensional character in an environment created by avirtual studio is broadcast from the headend.

Preferably, a control signal which is directed to the headend istransmitted from the player unit. The control signal is employed tomodify the perspective image of the at least one three-dimensionalcharacter so as to produce a modified perspective image which is furtherbroadcasted from the headend.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the signalbroadcasted from a headend may include an avatar which may be remotelycustomized for broadcast from a headend of a television broadcastsystem. Preferably, in order to customize the avatar, a picture of auser of the television broadcast system is provided and a basic avataris selected from a group of avatars. When a selection of the basicavatar is confirmed by transmitting a payment authorization signal tothe headend, and the payment authorization signal is accepted at theheadend, the picture of the user is combined with the basic avatar tocreate an avatar having combined characteristics of the player and ofthe basic avatar.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention a viewer thatwas not selected to be an interactive player in the game may still playthe game in various play along modes which are described herein withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which is a flow chart illustrating apreferred play along method which is associated with the gaming methoddescribed in FIG. 6.

Preferably, a first player and a second player, which are not selectedto be interactive players in the game, may view the game show on a firstand a second television at respective player units and may decide tocompete each against the other.

In such a case, the first player may dial a code number of the secondplayer on a telephone, or enter an identification code of the secondplayer via a remote control, such as remote control 116 of FIG. 2.

Preferably, the code number, or the identification code, is transmittedto the headend 200 via an STB, such as STB 14 of FIG. 1, and via acommunication network, such as the communication network mentioned abovewith reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

At the headend 200, the code number or the identification code ischecked against a list of viewers, and if a match is found with a codeof a viewer, which in this case is the code of the second player, theheadend 200 establishes a communication link between the first playerand the second player, and enables the first player, playing at thefirst player unit, and the second player, playing at the second playerunit, to play along the interactive game by competing each against theother via the communication network.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first player andthe second player may be each requested, by the headend 200, to transmitto the headend 200 a payment authorization signal representing a chargeto be paid by each player for participating in the play along mode ofthe game.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which is a flow chart illustratinganother preferred play along method which is associated with the gamingmethod described in FIG. 6.

Preferably, a first player is selected to be an interactive player whichis enabled to play the interactive game at a first player unit in afirst mode by controlling an avatar via a communication network, such asthe communication network mentioned above with reference to FIGS. 2 and3.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the interactive gameplayed in the first mode is transmitted to a plurality of viewer units.Preferably, a second player is enabled, in response to transmission of apayment authorization signal, to view the interactive game played in thefirst mode by the first player and to play along the interactive game ina second mode by competing against the first player.

It is appreciated that the game played in the second mode is typicallyplayed at a second player unit and is not transmitted to the pluralityof viewer units. Rather, the results of the game played in the secondmode may be stored in a memory at the second player unit, such as thememory 102 of FIG. 2. The results may be transmitted to the headend 200,typically at hours of non-peak usage of the communication network, viathe communication network when at least one of the results exceeds apredetermined threshold value which reflects a certain amount of successin competing against the first player.

At the headend 200, the results may be compared with results of otherplayers that are playing along, and may be employed to assist in furtherselections of interactive players which play in the first mode.

It is appreciated that various features of the invention which are, forclarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable sub-combination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention isdefined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. For use with a system in which an interactivegame is transmitted via a communication network to a multiplicity ofviewer units, and in which each viewer unit includes an interface deviceand a television, and the interface device is coupled to thecommunication network, a gaming method for playing the interactive gameat a player unit which is in two-way communication with a virtualreality kit activated by a player and including at least a two-way linkwith the player unit, and for viewing the game played by the player atthe multiplicity of viewer units, the method comprising: encoding, at aheadend, a first version of the interactive game as a non-pay program byemploying a first gaming program code and transmitting the first versionof the interactive game to the multiplicity of viewer units; encoding,at the headend, a second version of the interactive game by employing asecond gaming program code and transmitting the second version of theinteractive game to the player unit as a pay program which is receivedover a separate data stream; transmitting, from the player unit, apayment authorization signal to the headend; enabling the player tointeractively play the interactive game, via the virtual reality kit, byperforming actions in a virtual reality environment defined by thesecond version of the interactive game in response to said step oftransmitting a payment authorization signal to the headend; detectingthe actions of the player and obtaining a stream of detection signalstherefrom; transmitting the detection signals to the headend via thecommunication network; processing, at the headend, the detection signalsto implement the actions of the player in an avatar which simulates theplayer; and electronically inserting the avatar in the first version ofthe interactive game which is transmitted to the multiplicity of viewerunits.
 2. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said step ofprocessing comprises transforming the actions of the player to actionsof the avatar in a virtual studio environment.
 3. A method according toclaim 1 and also comprising: selecting a basic avatar from a group ofavatars; confirming a selection of the basic avatar by transmitting anauthorization signal to the headend; accepting the authorization signalat the headend; and combining a picture of the player with the basicavatar to create an avatar having combined characteristics of the playerand of the basic avatar.
 4. For use with a system in which aninteractive game is transmitted via a communication network to amultiplicity of viewer units, and in which each viewer unit includes aninterface device and a television, and the interface device is coupledto the communication network, a gaming method for playing theinteractive game at a player unit, and for viewing the game played bythe player at the multiplicity of viewer units, the method comprising:encoding, at a headend, a first version of the interactive game as anon-pay program which includes a first environment by employing a firstgaming program code, and transmitting the first version of theinteractive game to the multiplicity of viewer units; encoding, at theheadend, a second version of the interactive game which includes asecond environment by employing a second gaming program code;transmitting the second version of the interactive game to the playerunit as a pay program which is received over a separate data stream;transmitting a payment authorization signal to the headend; enabling theplayer to interactively play the interactive game in the secondenvironment defined by the second version of the interactive game inresponse to said step of transmitting a payment authorization signal tothe headend; and viewing, at the multiplicity of viewer units, theinteractive game in the first environment defined by the first versionof the interactive game.
 5. A method according to claim 4 and whereinsaid first environment comprises an outer view environment of the game.6. A method according to claim 4 and wherein said second environmentcomprises an inner view environment of the game.
 7. A method accordingto claim 4 and wherein said first environment and said secondenvironment comprise virtual studio environments.
 8. A gaming method foruse with an interactive game which is played via a communication networkin a plurality of modes, the method comprising: enabling a first player,playing at a first player unit, to interactively play the interactivegame in a first mode by controlling an avatar via said communicationnetwork; transmitting the interactive game played in the first mode to aplurality of viewer units; in response to transmission of anauthorization signal, enabling a second player, playing at one of theplurality of viewer units, to view the interactive game played in thefirst mode by the first player and to play along with the interactivegame in a second mode by competing against the first player; andtransmitting results of the interactive game played in the second modevia said communication network to a headend when at least one of saidresults exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
 9. A method accordingto claim 8 and comprising the step of storing said results of theinteractive game played in the second mode at said one of the pluralityof viewer units.
 10. A gaming system comprising: a headend which iscoupled to a communication network, the headend including: an encoderfor encoding a first version of the interactive game as a non-payprogram by employing a first gaming program code to generate an encodedfirst version of the interactive game, and for encoding a second versionof the interactive game by employing a second gaming program code togenerate an encoded second version of the interactive game, wherein thesecond version of the interactive game is provided as a pay programwhich is received over a separate data stream; a multiplexer formultiplexing the encoded first version of the interactive game and theencoded second version of the interactive game to produce a multiplexedsignal; and a transmitter for transmitting the multiplexed signal to aplurality of viewers; a multiplicity of viewer units, each including atelevision and an interface device which is coupled to the communicationnetwork and is operative to receive, demultiplex and decode the firstversion of the interactive game by employing the first gaming programcode; a player unit at which an interactive game is played by a player,the player unit including a player television, and a player interfacedevice coupled to the player television, and to said communicationnetwork, wherein the player interface device is operative to transmit apayment authorization signal to the headend and to receive, demultiplexand decode the second version of the interactive game by employing thesecond gaming program code; and a player interface kit which includes atleast a two-way link with the player unit, wherein the player interfacekit is operative to detect actions performed by the player, to obtain astream of detection signals therefrom, and to transmit the stream ofdetection signals to the headend via the player interface device and thecommunication network, and wherein in response to an acknowledgement ofacceptance of the payment authorization signal at the headend, thedetection signals are employed at the headend to implement the actionsof the player in an avatar which simulates the player, the avatar beingelectronically inserted in the first version of the interactive gamewhich is transmitted to said multiplicity of viewer units.
 11. A gamingsystem comprising: a headend which is coupled to a communicationnetwork, the headend including: an encoder for encoding a first versionof the interactive game as a non-pay program which includes a firstenvironment by employing a first gaming program code to generate anencoded first version of the game, and for encoding a second version ofthe interactive game which includes a second environment by employing asecond gaming program code to generate an encoded second version of thegame, wherein the second version of the interactive game is provided asa pay program which is received over a separate data stream; amultiplexer for multiplexing the encoded first version of theinteractive game and the encoded second version of the interactive gameto produce a multiplexed signal; and a transmitter for transmitting themultiplexed signal to a plurality of viewers; a multiplicity of viewerunits, each including a television and an interface device which iscoupled to the communication network and is operative to receive,demultiplex and decode the first version of the interactive game byemploying the first gaming program code, and to enable a viewer to viewthe interactive game in the first environment defined by the firstversion of the interactive game; and a player unit at which aninteractive game is played by a player, the player unit including aplayer television, and a player interface device coupled to the playertelevision, and to said communication network, wherein the playerinterface device is operative to transmit a payment authorization signalto the headend and to receive, demultiplex and decode the second versionof the interactive game by employing the second gaming program code, andto enable the player to interactively play the interactive game in thesecond environment defined by the second version of the interactive gamein response to an acknowledgement of acceptance of the paymentauthorization signal at the headend.
 12. A system according to claim 11and wherein said first version of the interactive game and said secondversion of the interactive game are transmitted on separate datastreams.
 13. A system according to claim 11 and wherein said firstenvironment comprises an outer view environment of the game and saidsecond environment comprises an inner view environment of the game. 14.A system according to claim 11 and wherein said first environment andsaid second environment are virtual studio environments.
 15. A systemaccording to claim 10 and wherein the player interface kit comprises avirtual reality kit.
 16. A gaming method according to claim 8 and alsocomprising: comparing said results with results of other players thatare playing along so as to provide a comparison result; and determininga further selection of a first player for playing in the first modebased on the comparison result.